It is now clear that alpha(1)-adrenoceptors comprise a heterogeneous family. In the present study, we characterized the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype in the nasal mucosa vasculature of guinea pigs. A rectangular strip of guinea pig nasal mucosa was suspended in an organ bath containing Krebs' bicarbonate solution. Changes in tension were recorded isometrically. Concentration-response curves for agonists were obtained in a cumulative manner. Noradrenaline produced the greatest contraction of the nasal mucosa vasculature. NS-49 ((R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoromethane sulfonanilide hydrochloride) and oxymetazoline worked as partial agonists. The intrinsic activities of NS-49 and oxymetazoline were 0.50+/-0.22 and 0.29+/-0.17, respectively, compared with noradrenaline (=1.00). Prazosin and the putative alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonists WB-4101 (2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane) and 5-methylurapidil antagonized the response to noradrenaline competitively (pA(2) for prazosin<9.0). Conversely, putative alpha(1B) and alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonists (spiperone and BMY7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4, 5]decane-7,9-dione), respectively) did not antagonize competitively. These results suggest that the alpha(1A)-subtype is predominant and that the alpha(1L) (or alpha(1N)) subtype may also be present in the guinea pig nasal mucosa vasculature. Furthermore, NS-49 might prove to be a nasal mucosa vasoconstrictor, which will improve nasal obstruction.